Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs Agreed to 5-year, $58.17 Million Deal

According to multiple reports, Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs agreed to a five-year deal worth $11.634 million annually. Matthews will now be the second-highest paid player in the NHL behind Connor McDavid’s $12.5 million AAV. His teammate John Tavares is right behind him making $11 million annually. Matthews new deal prevents him from being an RFA July 1. Now Toronto can focus on signing their leading-scorer Mitch Marner, who could become an RFA July 1. Marner’s representatives made it clear to the media that he plans to have his contract negotiations during the offseason.

Matthews was the first overall pick of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He won the Calder Trophy (NHL top rookie) and has a total of 178 points (97 goals, 81 assists) in 182 games. This season he played 38 games with 23 goals and 23 assists. The 21-year-old made the NHL All-Star roster in all three of his seasons.

The Leafs are currently second in the Atlantic Division and are trying to make it far in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The extensions of William Nylander and Tavares makes them long-time contenders in the Eastern Conference.